Power supply assured for southern region

It has increased the capability of the transmission system with the 500KV Pleiku–My Phuoc–Cau Bong, Phu Lam–O Mon, and Vinh Tan–Song May grids. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY (VNS) — Several power plants that are set to go on stream in the southern region will ensure there is adequate supply through the dry season, which ends in May, officials assure.

Besides, the Southern Power Corporation said to ensure supply in southern provinces this year and in future, it had expanded the north-south transmission system.

It has increased the capability of the transmission system with the 500KV Pleiku–My Phuoc–Cau Bong, Phu Lam–O Mon, and Vinh Tan–Song May grids.

Cao Quang Quynh, deputy head of the Electricity of Viet Nam (EVN)'s public relations department, said, "Power from the north can fully meet the south's requirement thanks to the grid."

According to the National Power Grid Management Centre, the country's power generation capacity would increase by 11.5 per cent this year though water levels in hydropower reservoirs are only around 65 per cent of last year's.

It expects transmission from the northern and central regions to the south to be around 10.5 billion kWh and 17.1 billion kWh compared to 7.3 billion kWh and 13.7 billion last year.

In case of need, oil-fired plants would also increase output, officials mobilised.

The centre also expects power import from China to reduce sharply because the backup power capacity in the north is quite high and can meet any additional demand in the south.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has instructed EVN to make comprehensive plans to ensure all plants run properly to fully meet demand during the dry season.

The Viet Nam Petrol and Oil Corporation has been ordered to supply the required volume of gas to power plants.

Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated Sai Gon) newspaper quoted Pham Quoc Bao, deputy general director of EVN – HCM City, as saying, "Along with more investment in power generation, awareness of saving power has also increased both among people and companies in HCM City in recent years."

Last year the city saved around 4 per cent power while in recent years foreign investors have been licensed with modern, power-saving technologies in mind, he said.

"I am sure that this dry season power supply will meet the demand". — VNS